3rd UF Water Institute Symposium Abstract

   
Submitter's Name Fnu Vibhava
Session Name Posters - Hydrology
Category Hydrology
Poster Number 19
 
Author(s) Vibhava Srivastava,  University of Florida (Presenting Author)
  Wendy Graham,  Water Institute University of Florida
  Rob de Rooij, Water Institute University of Florida
   
  Effect of Geologic Heterogeneity on River-Aquifer Interactions: Lesson Learned From the Application of an Integrated Surface-Subsurface Model in a Complex Karst Watershed
   
  This study aims at identifying and modeling river flow producing processes in the Santa Fe River Basin (SFRB), through the use of a fully integrated surface-subsurface hydrologic model PARFLOW.CLM. The characterization of important flow producing processes across the entire basin is challenging as the basin is divided roughly into two regions with contrasting hydro-geological characteristics, resulting into disparate flow producing mechanisms. In the eastern half of the SFRB (commonly termed as the upper confined region) the underlying Floridan aquifer is confined by the Miocene Hawthorn Group which limits mixing of surface and deep ground water, and consequently, hydrologic processes are dominated by surface runoff and surficial stores (wetlands and lakes). The western half of the SFRB (commonly termed as the lower unconfined region), erosion has removed the confining layer allowing direct mixing between surface water and the Floridan aquifer. In this region minimal surface runoff occurs, and there are virtually no stream networks feeding the river. Cody Escarpment, is the semi-confined transitional region which separates the eastern confined and the western unconfined regions of the basin. In the transition zone the Santa Fe River sinks in its entirety into the Floridan aquifer, emerging as a first order magnitude spring 6 km to the south. The ability to fully identify these interwind flow producing processes and more importantly to incorporate them in an integrated predictive modeling framework is a key to successfully identify the mechanism and thereafter the source producing the streamflow at various locations within the SFRB. This predictive model can be used in future to study the transport of natural or synthetic contaminants through the system.